PC World - USA (2019-07)

104 PCWorld JULY 2019

HERE’S HOW GET WINDOWS 10 CHEAP (OR FOR FREE)

Additionally, if you want to transfer the

license to a different PC down the

road, you can’t. On top of that, if

the hardware used to identify your

system (i.e., the motherboard)

bites the dust and you replace it,

Microsoft’s registration servers

won’t recognize your system and

automatically activate the key.

Though Microsoft has historically

gone easy on home PC builders

caught in this situation, their

goodwill may be harder to rely

On Kinguin, like on Amazon Marketplace, you pick a

specific seller from which to buy the product (in this case,

the Windows 10 license key).

Kinguin’s Buyer Protection works like eBay’s: If anything goes

wrong with your purchase, you’re covered. It’s a must if you

buy a license key through them.

upon if you can’t prove that you

directly purchased an OEM license

from an authorized retailer.

Proponents of this method counter

that buying Kinguin’s Buyer Protection

(go.pcworld.com/kbyp; currently an

additional $5.57, and included in the

price listed above) covers you in sticky

situations with bad sellers and eliminates

the risk of troubles. In our office, staff

members who’ve advocated this

method of obtaining Windows 10 for

years have reported no problems so far.

Each camp makes valid arguments,

so ultimately, your comfort level with risk

and gray market goods should

determine whether this is the option for

you. If you opt for this path, we

recommend ignoring Windows 10

Home. An extra $2 for the Pro license

nets you Bitlocker encryption and other

Pro features, which are more than worth it.